Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

Harlow's monkey studies helped to rule out which attachment theory?

1. The behavioral-learning theory

2. The social theory

3. The evolutionary theory

4. The drive-reduction theory

The correct answer is: The drive-reduction theory

Harlow's monkey studies were pivotal in understanding attachment, especially by challenging the drive-reduction theory of attachment. This theory posited that attachment behaviors were primarily motivated by the satisfaction of basic needs, such as comfort and nourishment provided by the mother. Harlow's experiments demonstrated that infant monkeys preferred to cling to a soft, terrycloth mother figure that provided no food over a wire mother that supplied nourishment. This finding illustrated that comfort, security, and emotional connection play a crucial role in the development of attachment, not merely the fulfillment of hunger or physical needs. As a result, Harlow shifted the focus from the drive-reduction perspective to the importance of emotional and social factors in forming attachments, highlighting that the bond between a caregiver and child includes affection and comfort beyond basic survival needs.